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Byblos

locationMilan, 26 September 2002

locationMilan, 26 September 2002

A NEW team of designers made their debut at <B>Byblos[/b] yesterday. A triumvirate of <B>Greg Myler</B>, <B> Stefano Citron </B> and <B> Federico Piggi</B> has taken the reins for spring/summer 2003, since <B> Martine Sitbon </B> stepped down after four years at the design house. "We tried to bring the brand back to its origins," says Myler, who spent 13 years at Krizia before relocating to Mila Schon, where he met his two current design partners. "It had lost its way and was very much Sitbon's own handwriting so we wanted to make it the eclectic but commercial label it once was." Judging by the collection they showed at Milan Fashion Week yesterday, that means boxy double-breasted jackets worn open over high-waisted mini skirts, dove-grey silk shirt dresses and black and red floral prints on chiffon gowns. There were plenty of military references, on belted trouser suits and slim-fitting jumpsuits in black and white. And although Myler insists that the workload is shared equally between the three of them, someone clearly has a penchant for knitwear. There were sexy crochet swimsuits, bikinis that laced down the ribcage and stringy woollen jumpers that hung in strips from a slashed neckline. Formerly owned by Prada, Byblos was bought by Verona-based Swinger International in April and Myler, Stefano and Piggi were brought in to take the helm. Under the terms of their new six-year contract, they will each be able to launch their own labels once their plans for Byblos are off the ground. "It's a pipe dream for all of us at the moment," says Myler. "For now Byblos is taking up all our time. We want to make it very young and sexy, colourful and happy again." (September 27 2002, AM)